NATS American Negro Spiritual Categories
Held every other year, in odd-numbered years.
Category Info
Starting in 2020, NATS added the American Negro Spiritual Categories to region student auditions with the top five region winners advancing to the national preliminary rounds, as with all other NSA-eligible categories. Chapters are also eligible and encouraged to add this competition to chapter auditions. Where applicable, Chapter auditions serve as qualifying rounds for advancement into region auditions. The American Negro Spiritual Categories alternate with the Hall Johnson Spirituals Category nationally, with the Hall Johnson Category offered in even numbered years.
Although most composers of the spirituals we now sing are unknown, the melodies and lyrics have been arranged hundreds of times in many different styles. The spirituals approved for performance in NATS auditions are the classical arrangements of the North American Negro Spirituals and arranged by classical North American composers. The terminology for singing in the American Negro Spiritual categories is outlined and defined in the classical Audition Terminology.
While the American Negro Spirituals’ geneses are of and by African Americans, they tell the stories in music of the history of our country. NATS encourages all singers to explore, study, and perform these beautiful songs.
History
The American Negro Spirituals are the folk songs created by the enslaved Africans after their arrival in North America between 1619 and 1860. Although slavery ended with Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation, which went into effect January 1, 1863, the enslaved people in Texas did not receive the notice until June 19, 1865, hence the Juneteenth Celebration.
Information
Music
- Both arrangements and compositions in the style of Negro Spirituals are acceptable
- Simplicity in melody is of utmost importance
- Historical meanings/reference and stories of text are also of chief importance
- Stories and the melodies of compositions must be reflective of the historical category
- Arrangements must reflect and respect the classical style in accompaniments with a vocal line respectful of the traditional melodies
Acceptable Arrangements
*See list of authorized repertoire below
Spirituals have been composed and arranged by a variety of people of every ethnicity and background. Our purpose in this category is to educate our students and colleagues about the beauty, simplicity, historical relevance and amazing wealth of music in this category that risks extinction of value and performance on the classical stage. Many questions have arisen regarding acceptability. In the effort to educate, we are listing some examples of discussions and considerations of spirituals composed and/or arranged by persons who are not African American.
- Robert MacGimsey, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” a classic example of a non black composer, raised on a plantation, fully immersed in black culture who has fully captured the spirit of the original Negro Spiritual
- Eli Villanueva 6 Spirituals set with island flavor, unusual, classical accompaniments, respecting and retaining the traditional melodies
Performance
We suggest students and teachers study the great performances through online resources and explore topics about great American composers, especially those of the 19th and 20th centuries.
- The American Negro Spiritual is to be sung in the classical art song tradition.
- Simplicity in melody and vocal line is of utmost importance.
- Strophic songs written with multiple verses may be sung with moderate embellishments after the original line has been established in both voice and accompaniment. Moderation is the key. Suggestions include varying tempo, dynamics and adding higher or lower pitches within the key in ending cadences.
- Strophic songs with multiple verses (more than 4-6) may eliminate some of the verses that do not change the story or historical content (not more than half of the verses may be dropped, for example if there are 5 verses, not more than 2 may be dropped.
- Classical singing delivery please, with proper technique – not musical theatre, gospel, and/or pop.
Resources
NATS has compiled additional information on arrangers, composers, performers and the historical content and significance of the American Negro Spiritual.
NSA Spirituals Adjudicator Training
Awards
- High School
- $1,200 - 1st place in each category, presented by the North Carolina Chapter of NATS
- $600 - 2nd place in each category
- $450 - 3rd place in each category
- First thru Third Year College Age, presented in honor of Sr. Thea Bowman by Daniel Johnson-Wilmot
- $1,200 - 1st place in each category
- $600 - 2nd place in each category
- $450 - 3rd place in each category
- Fourth/Fifth Year College Age thru Graduate
- $1,600 - 1st place in each category, presented by the American Spiritual Ensemble
- $900 - 2nd place in each category
- $500 - 3rd place in each category
First place winners in each of the college-age categories also will receive full-tuition grants for the American Spirituals Intensive program at the Bay View Music Festival in northern Michigan. The American Spirituals Intensive is a 7-day program to study and perform repertoire from the American negro spiritual genre. The intensive residency is led by Dr. Everett McCorvey, Director of The American Spiritual Ensemble, Director of Opera at University of Kentucky, and Artistic Director of the National Chorale of New York. Highlights include coaching and preparation with Dr. McCorvey, rehearsals and performances of a concert focused on the American Negro Spiritual, and community outreach performances.
Official Repertoire
Arrangements in classical style of the North American Negro Spiritual, by composers similar to the style of:
- Hall Johnson
- R. Nathaniel Dett
- Florence Price
- Moses Hogan
- Edward Boatner
- Undine Smith Moore
- James Weldon Johnson
- J. Rosamond Johnson
- Margaret Bonds and others.
The classical style excludes gospel, blues, and jazz.
Approved arrangement and collections
*Authorized scores of repertoire not found on the publications list, can be vetted/approved by contacting one of the following NATS members:
Eligibility
- This competition only takes place in odd-numbered years. Region auditions occur throughout the year with some regions holding the regional auditions in the fall of the preceding year.
- Open to any singer who meets the requirements listed below:
| CATEGORY NUMBER AND TITLE | LENGTH OF STUDY | AGE LIMIT | TIME | Voice Type |
*REPERTOIRE: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AS 3 High School |
No limit | 14-19 |
8 minutes |
All |
Three American Negro Spirituals contrasting by composer, tempo and text. |
|
AS 7 First Through Third Year College Age |
0-3 years post high school |
23 |
10 minutes |
All |
Three American Negro Spirituals contrasting by composer, tempo and text. |
|
AS 9 Fourth/Fifth Year College Age and Graduate Age |
4+ years post high school |
30 | 12 minutes | All |
Four American Negro Spirituals contrasting by composer, tempo and text. |
All interested performers should apply for this category as part of region student auditions with the top five region singers advancing to the NSA rounds as with all other NSA-eligible categories. Chapters also are eligible and encouraged to add this competition to chapter auditions. Where applicable, Chapter auditions serve as qualifying rounds for advancement into region auditions.
